Remembering Bill Fabrey
Dear NAAFA Community,
We write to you today with the sad news of the passing of NAAFA’s founder, Bill Fabrey. Bill died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of January 10. He was 84 years old.
Bill Fabrey and colleagues at the first meeting of the National Association to Aid Fat Americans in 1969.
(Photo credit: Gilberto Granadillo)
In the late 1960’s, Bill began to organize a group to change the way fat people are perceived and to advocate for better treatment for those living in fat bodies. He was motivated by his love for his then-wife, Joyce, who joined him and a handful of others at the first NAAFA meeting in June of 1969. Those in attendance voted to designate Bill the official founder of the organization, then known as the National Association to Aid Fat Americans. Today, NAAFA is known as the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance and is recognized as the world’s first-documented fat rights organization.
Bill served NAAFA as a national leader, board member, and spokesperson for over 30 years. In 1991, Bill co-founded the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination. He later served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). Bill served each of these organizations as a volunteer, supporting himself and his family through his day job as an engineer.
In 1988, Bill co-founded Amplestuff with his then-wife Nancy Summer. Amplestuff was a unique mail order business providing accessibility items for people living in larger bodies. Bill operated Amplestuff for nearly 37 years.
Bill remained an advocate for size acceptance and fat liberation throughout his life, mentoring generations of activists, scholars, and others in fat community and beyond.
NAAFA is working closely with Bill’s immediate family and estate to ensure that we respect their privacy as we honor Bill’s legacy. They have permitted us to share this news with the world. We encourage you to share this message widely.
Contributions in honor of Bill
Bill’s estate has designated NAAFA as the “in lieu of flowers” charitable organization to receive donations in Bill’s memory. We are honored by this designation. Please use the “In Memory Of” field on our giving page to indicate that your gift is dedicated to Bill.
If you want to give to Bill’s family for end-of-life and other legacy needs, those contributions can be made to this GoFundMe established by Friends of Bill Fabrey.
About Memorial Services for Bill
Bill’s family and loved ones will host an in-person memorial service near his home in New York later this spring. We will share details as they become available, according to his loved ones’ wishes.
NAAFA will also host a virtual memorial service for Bill later this year (date to be determined). Information will be shared via our email list and social media.
Messages and cards
Those wishing to leave messages about Bill’s impact and influence may do so at naafa.org/billfabrey. Cards may be sent to ATTN Bill Fabrey Memorial ℅ NAAFA, PO Box 61586, Las Vegas NV 89160.
Bill’s ephemera and files will be archived at Cornell University. NAAFA will coordinate such donations. If you have items other than cards and messages, please use the form below to inform us about what you have. We thank Barbara Altman Bruno for arranging this archival home.
Bill in his own words
Last September, our Executive Director, Tigress Osborn, asked Bill what he most wanted people to remember about the work he did. “Oh, gosh!” he said. “[I would want people to know] that it was motivated by the right reasons— to help your fellow man. Or woman! I was never motivated by making money or meeting the ‘right people’...it’s been an interesting life, and I can’t imagine any other at this point.”
We can’t imagine fat activism without you, Bill. Thank you for everything you gave to NAAFA and to the world.
In solidarity,
Team NAAFA
Submit your memories of Bill
Bill Fabrey delivering his keynote address at NAAFA’s 50th Anniversary Convention in 2019.
(Photo credit: Satu Vuorenmaa)